Now that fall has arrived, there’s no better time to fire up a stone fireplace! Hot cocoa, cozy sweaters, and a good fire are all you need this season. But to keep the good times rolling, you need to make sure that your fireplace is in good working order after every cozy session. That’s why this guide is full of tips on how to easily maintain and clean your stone fireplace, including how to clean soot off the stone fireplace and away from your carpet, and how to get stains out of the stone fireplace.
Importance of Cleaning a Stone Fireplace
Whether or not you have a darker stone on your fireplace and stains aren’t as noticeable, it’s still important to regularly clean your fireplace. It’s one of the first things you are drawn to when moving into a new place or prioritizing while you design the layout of your living room. Buildup of creosote, a residue that comes from burning wood or fossil fuels, can make your place more susceptible to fires. Creosote can cake up the inside of your chimney in a tar-like way and is highly combustible and needs to be removed.
How to Clean a Stone Fireplace in 6 Steps
Now that we’re aware of the dangers of not cleaning a stone fireplace, let’s dive into the helpful tips for how to clean a stone fireplace.
1. Allow the Stone Fireplace to Cool
Let your fireplace cool down at least 12 hours before you begin cleaning.
2. Remove the Ashes
If you consistently use your fireplace, it’s important to remove the ashes and any burned debris weekly. Sweep up the ashes into a pile and then either put a rag into a vinegar and water mixture to clean or sprinkle wet coffee grounds on top of the ashes before removing so they don’t fly away.
3. Apply Stone Hearth Cleaner
Natural stone for fireplaces can be super durable like granite or super porous like limestone. Regardless, you can clean both versions of stone with stone hearth cleaner and a rag.
4. Brush with Cleaning Solution
Use your stone hearth cleaner, or hot water and soap, and wet down the area. Then lightly scrub it with a brush to clean your stone fireplace.
5. Stone Sanding
If you’re wondering how to get stains out of a stone fireplace, you can try sanding the stain away. A stained stone fireplace can be frustrating but using fine to medium-grit sandpaper, and a vacuum cleaner to clean up any mess, is the way to go.
6. Clean and Wipe
Use your cleaning solution or vinegar and water mixture to thoroughly clean up and wipe away any soot, stains, or mess left behind. Take a sponge or mop if needed to make that stone fireplace sparkle!
How to Clean a Stone Fireplace Mantel
Stone may seem like one of the top toughest materials out there, but if the wrong type of cleansers are used, it can actually be weakened over time due to its porous surface. You’ll want to leave your fireplace cleaner than you found it, especially if you plan on moving out one day. The key to a proper stone fireplace cleaner is to keep it simple. Anything strong shouldn’t be used—we want to clean the stone, not strip away what makes it beautiful!
To clean a stone fireplace mantel, you’ll want to use mixtures like 3 parts water and 1 part liquid dishwashing detergent. For tougher stained stone fireplace mantels, mix 1 part hydrochloric acid, 10 parts water, and a bit of dishwashing detergent. And remember to always wear protective gloves while using acid solution to avoid discoloration.
Presoak the area first with a sponge to prevent any scraping during the cleaning. Then, gently scrub the area with your brush or rag. Hot tip: Use an old toothbrush to get into any nooks and crannies! Once done, soak off the cleaning solution with warm water. Now you have a sparkling stone fireplace mantel that’s perfect for adding eye-catching home decor to—like, say an awesomely mounted flatscreen TV.
How to Get Stains Out of a Stone Fireplace
Smoke and Fire Stains
Smoke and fire stains are the most common type of stain and will look black and sooty. For general cleaning, you can take 1 tablespoon of dish soap to 4 cups of hot water and scrub away the stains.
Soot Stains
Soot comes down from the chimney and can leave these common stains behind. How to clean soot off a stone fireplace starts with using a fireplace stone cleaner and wiping it down with a cloth.
Moisture Stains
Moisture can come from the floor, chimneys can leak, and puddles can form near outdoor fireplaces. Depending on the amount, you can use a mop or rag and wipe down the stains with warm water and soap mixture.
How Much Does It Cost to Clean a Fireplace?
The national average for a chimney sweep is roughly $252. Cleaning of the chimney itself can cost between $130 to $375. The good part is, Taskers are available to help clean, and will bring their own cleaning supplies, starting at $30 per hour varying depending on the Tasker and size of the project.
Get Help to Clean a Stone Fireplace
Knowing how to clean a stone fireplace is an awesome and necessary skill to have. Being able to maintain a clean stone fireplace is a different, but also important, issue. Making sure that your fireplace is clean and free of all the soot, dust, and debris doesn’t have to always be a do-it-yourself journey. You can book a Tasker to get a thorough cleaning at any time, even the same day, as an effortless way to maintain your clean stone fireplace.
